Saudi Arabia donated a further $80 million to Pakistan boosting a national campaign collection $106.6 million local press said on Thursday.
King Abdullah has ordered the allocation of 300 million riyals "on behalf of the Saudi people," Saudi Gazette daily reported quoting an official statement.
King Abdullah kicked off the campaign by donating 20 million riyals (5.33 million dollars), and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz offered 10 million riyals, press reports said.
The third in line to the throne, Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, also gave five million riyals to the cause, according to the reports.
The kingdom has so far sent 21 planeloads of aid to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Saudi ambassador to Islamabad Abdul Aziz Alghadir has said the Saudi Development Bank has allocated 20 million dollars in aid for flood victims, Saudi Gazette reported.
ADB to loan $2b for flood recovery
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday announced that it would extend $2 billion to Pakistan to help with the rehabilitation and reconstruction in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
The finance was announced by ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Department Juan Miranda, who arrived in Islamabad to discuss the ADB rehabilitation and reconstruction plan with senior government officials and other donors.
"The extent of human suffering caused by the floods cannot be easily quantified, nor can the damage wrought upon the country's physical and social infrastructure," Miranda said. "But what is clear is that this disaster is like no other in living memory - and that our response must also be unprecedented, equal to the need, and fast," he added.
"We need to put back hope and dignity into people's lives, and do so quickly. Pakistan needs this and counts on us. This is not the time to let them down. This must be our finest hour," Miranda said.
The $2 billion will be for emergency rehabilitation and reconstruction work, said an ADB statement adding the funds would be released in accordance with the findings of a Damage and Needs Assessment (DNA) that is being co-led by ADB and the World Bank.
"We will ensure that money from donors is used in the right way, at the right time, and in a totally transparent manner," Miranda said.
ADB has also approved $3 million from its Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Fund for immediate emergency assistance.
4.6 million without shelter
The United Nations estimates that 4.6 million survivors of the floods are still without shelter and wants to provide six million with tents and plastic sheeting, a spokesman said Thursday.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ